Improvement in car-couplings



L. M. WEBB 8v E. TINKER.

Car-Coupling.

` Patented sept. 1o, 187s.

INVENTOR l ff' BY www ATTORNEYS.

WITNESSES:

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIGE.

LOREN M. WEBB -AND EDW'IN TINKER, OF TUSOARORA, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN CAR-COUPLINGS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent N0. 207,921, datedSeptember 10, 1878; application filed July 6,1818.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that we, LOREN M. WEBB and EDWINTINKER, of Tuscarora, in the county of Steuben and State of New York,have invented a new and Improved Oar-Coupling, of which the following isa specification:

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a verticallongitudinal section on line m x, Fig. 2, and Fig. 2 a horizontalsection on line y y of Fig. l, ot` our improved carcoupling.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

Thisinvention has reference to that class of car-couplin gs that coupleautomatically on the approach of the cars by the entrance of thecoupling-link into the connecting draw-head, so as to prevent the goingin between the cars, and avoid the danger to life and limb connectedwith the common coupling in use; and the invention consists of adraw-head with open sides, and a central guide-block of less width andlength, along which the slotted side plates of a spring-actedpin-supporting front plate are guided. The coupling-pin is guided in acylindrical pin-guide or barrel at the top of the draw-head, andsupported by an extension of the sliding front plate until the same ispushed back by the link. Transverse ribs at the face of the frontslide-plate serve to hold the link in position for coupling, while ahand-lever that engages one of the side plates sets the ribbed frontplate forward or backward on the center guide-block.

teferring to the drawings, A represents a draw-head of the usual size,made with curved or tapering mouth, but preferably with open sides. rlhedraw-head is provided with a solid center guide-block, B, which is ofless width than the draw-head and considerably shorter, so as to leave asufficient space between the mouth and front end or face of the blockfor the coupling-link.

Along t-he guide-block B are guided, by headed pins or other devices,the slotted side pla-tes B', `which are connected in front of theguide-block by a front slide-plate, C, that is bent forward topform anangular extension, on

which -tl1e coupling-pin D rests before coupa ling. The frontslide-plate, C, is cushioned by a spiral spring, c, that throws theslide-plate forward as soon as the pin is raised for uncoupling.

The pin D is guided in an upright cylindrical barrel or guide, D',secured to the top of the draw-head inline with the pin-holes, anduncoupled by any suitable mechanism from the top, side, or platform ofthe car. A collar plate around the head of the pin prevents the droppingof the pin through the pin-holes.

The front slide-plate, O, may be slightly com caved for thecoupling-link, which strikes against the same on entering and forces theplate back, so that the coupling-pin drops and couples the link. Thefront plate, O, is arranged with transverse ribs b, that form a groovebetween them for taking hold. of the link, so as to sustain it inproperposition for entering the opposite draw-head. A ribbed rubber frontmaybe used, if desired.

The slide-plate C may be moved forward by a hand-lever, E, that isfulcrumed into a recess of the center block B, and extended sidewisethrough a recess of one ofthe side guide-plates. The lever admits thesetting of the ribbed front plate so as to obtain the proper position ofthe link for entering the approaching drawhead. In coupling, the frontplate and lever are moved back by the link. Thus a simple andautomatically-working car-coupling is ob-l tained that couples with thecommon pin and link, and which may be applied with. great facility tothe common draw-heads in use.

Having thus described our invention, we claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent- The draw-head of a car-coupling open at thesides, having guide -block B, and provided with slotted slide-plates B',the latter connected in front by a plate, H, as shown and described, forthe purpose specified.

LOREN MONROE WEBB. EDWIN TINKER. XVitnesses:

ELMER DUNN, LEVI B. SWAN.

